Salisbury, NC – A violent altercation during a child custody exchange in Rowan County has left one man seriously injured and two convicted felons facing serious charges. On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds was transported to Novant Health Rowan Medical Center in a privately owned vehicle, prompting a swift response from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation has since uncovered a troubling sequence of events that unfolded at a residence on Grants Creek Road, near Grace Church Road, in Salisbury.

**Details of the Incident
The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to the shooting when the victim arrived at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center. Information gathered at the hospital led deputies to identify the crime scene at a residence on Grants Creek Road. Upon arrival, authorities encountered two individuals, Melvin Bookhart and Raynard Bookhart, who were present at the time of the incident. Both men were escorted from the scene and cooperated with investigators.

According to the sheriff’s office, the shooting stemmed from a child custody exchange that escalated into a violent confrontation. During the exchange, an altercation broke out between Melvin Bookhart and the victim, resulting in the victim being shot multiple times. The exact circumstances leading to the dispute remain under investigation, but officials have confirmed that the incident occurred in a setting meant to prioritize the welfare of a child.

**Search Uncovers Firearms
Following the shooting, detectives from the Rowan County Criminal Investigations Division obtained a search warrant for the residence. The search revealed several firearms and ammunition inside the home, a significant finding given the criminal histories of the individuals involved. Both Melvin Bookhart and Raynard Bookhart are convicted felons, legally prohibited from possessing firearms under North Carolina law.

Based on the evidence and witness statements, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office filed the following charges:

– **Melvin Bookhart**:
– Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
– Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury
– **Raynard Bookhart**:
– Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

While Melvin Bookhart is directly implicated in the shooting, authorities have not clarified Raynard Bookhart’s specific role in the altercation. His charge stems from the discovery of firearms at the residence where he was present.

**Victim’s Condition
The victim, whose identity has not been released due to the ongoing investigation and the sensitive nature of the case, was initially treated at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was subsequently transferred to Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte for advanced medical care. As of the latest updates, the victim remains hospitalized, but his current condition has not been publicly disclosed.

**Ongoing Investigation
The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office has emphasized that the investigation is active and ongoing. Detectives are working diligently to reconstruct the events leading up to the shooting, including reviewing potential security footage, analyzing digital evidence, and interviewing witnesses to establish a motive and any prior history between the parties involved.

The sheriff’s office is appealing to the public for assistance. “This is a deeply troubling situation involving violence in a setting where the priority should have been the safety of a child,” a spokesperson for the department stated. “We’re asking the community to help us get to the truth.”

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Detective D. Fero or Detective Sgt. K. Holshouser directly. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Rowan County Crime Stoppers at 1-866-639-5245.

**Community Response
The shooting has sparked renewed concern in Rowan County about the potential for violence during child custody exchanges. Community advocates are calling for increased resources to prevent such incidents, including supervised custody exchange centers, mental health support, and stronger legal oversight for high-risk situations. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for safe, neutral environments to facilitate custody transfers, particularly when tensions between parties are known.

As the investigation continues, the Rowan County community is left grappling with the repercussions of this tragic event. A routine custody exchange, intended to prioritize the well-being of a child, has instead resulted in violence, leaving a victim fighting for recovery and a community searching for answers.